Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Gay Male Relationships: A Comparison of Couples in 1975 and 2000

Abstract

This study examined the differences among lesbians, gay men, and heterosexuals at two points in time (1975 and 2000) using responses of 6,864 participants from two archival data sets. Groups were compared on variables representing equality of behaviors between partners in seven realms: traditionally "feminine" housework, traditionally "masculine" housework, finances, support, communication, requesting/refusing sex, and decision-making. In addition, the current study compared monogamy agreements and monogamy behaviors reported by the two cohorts of couple types. Overall, the results indicate that on the equality variables, there have been many statistically significant behavioral shifts among the different sexual orientations across 25 years. In addition, all couple types reported substantially greater rates of monogamy in the year 2000 than in 1975. The present study has important clinical implications for therapists working with couples because it provides new baseline evidence regarding how couples now interact with one another (especially about monogamy) and how this has shifted over time. In addition, it elucidates the differences that still exist between different couple types, which could serve to inform couple therapists as they strive to become more culturally competent working with same-sex couples.

The Positive Aspects of Being the Parent of an LGBTQ Child

“…The five themes that emerged from the data suggest that parents were able to articulate a number of psychosocial benefits to parenting an LGBTQ child. The current study extends findings on the positive aspects of LGBTQ identities (Gotta et al., ; Riggle, Rostosky, McCants, & Pascale‐Hague, ; Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong, ; Rostosky, Riggle, Pascale‐Hague, & McCants, ) by suggesting that the parents of LGBTQ persons also have opportunities for positive experiences that can enhance their growth and development and sense of well‐being.…”

Monogamy, the Protective Fallacy: Sexual versus Emotional Exclusivity and the Implication for Sexual Health Risk

“…Rates of monogamous-identified relationships have significantly increased over time for both populations (Gotta et al, 2011). A 20-year cross-sectional study of sexually active heterosexual college students found that, across all study points, the vast majority of students, 86% in the most recent observation, chose monogamy as their relationship style, and the majority of them stated they used monogamy as a safer-sex strategy, relying on love and fidelity for protection (Netting & Burnett, 2004).…”

“…However the pressure to conform to the perceived safety of the monogamous ideal has been great, and many gay men now define their relationships as monogamous (Gotta et al, 2011;LaSala, 2004b;Wirth, 2010).…”

“…Research shows that infidelity rates for gay male couples in committed monogamous relationships are 50% or higher (Gotta et al, 2011;LaSala, 2004b).…”

Gender in the Context of Same‐Sex Divorce and Relationship Dissolution

“… Research in the United Kingdom suggests that same‐sex couples are more likely to depart from a model of “merging” finances (Burgoyne, Clarke, & Burns, , p. 685), using “partial‐pooling” or “independent management,” with “an emphasis placed on egalitarianism and devising a fair money management strategy” (Burns et al, , p. 481). Some U.S. data suggest that same‐sex couples may pay for various household expenses following stronger norms of independence and equality, in the form of equal contribution, than different‐sex couples (Gotta et al, ). …”